Brahms's Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra was composed in 1887 as a 'work of reconciliation' to mend his friendship with Joseph Joachim after a period of estrangement.
Compositional Technique
The Double Concerto contains musical references to the friendship between Brahms and Joseph Joachim, including allusions to Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto in A minor and the f.a.e. motif.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Brahms was an avid reader of romantic literature and a fervent supporter of romantic art theory, noting interesting statements from writers like Jean Paul and Novalis in his notebook.
Performer Biography
Julia Fischer, a leading violinist, began her musical training at age four and won the international Yehudi Menuhin Competition in 1995 at the age of twelve.
Composition History
The abbreviation 'f.a.e.' stands for Joseph Joachim's motto, 'frei, aber einsam' (free, but lonely), which Brahms also adopted and used as a symbol.
Composition History
Brahms composed almost all his violin works for Joseph Joachim, regularly seeking advice from the violin virtuoso as he himself did not play the instrument.
Composer Biography
The Hungarian violinist and composer Joseph Joachim described Johannes Brahms as a major talent, years ahead of him, despite Brahms being two years his junior.
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